Operation Freedom Paws

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Operation Freedom Paws

Operation Freedom Paws empowers veterans and others with disabilities to live a quality life. FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES: Email [email protected]

The program shall consist of but not be limited to the following services:
* provide service dogs to veterans and others with disabilities.
* assist veterans and others with disabilities to train their own service dogs
* obtain appropriate dogs from various sources including but not limited to shelters, rescue groups, and dog breeders provide ongoing support for veterans and others with disabiliti

es and their service dogs
* create a training facility and kennel.
* educate and raise awareness in the public and private sector about disabled individuals and service dog team partnerships.

25/11/2025

Lexi and Mulan’s story is a powerful reminder of what your Giving Tuesday support makes possible. From rebuilding confidence to finding a renewed sense of independence, their journey reflects the heart of our mission.⁠
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Your generosity creates life-changing partnerships like theirs, and helps more clients and dogs begin their healing journey together.⁠

Make an early Giving Tuesday donation today, your support will change a life.
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To donate and watch all of our Giving Tuesday interviews, visit https://operationfreedompaws.org/support-us/giving-tuesday/

24/11/2025

Janet's Mentoring Monday:

This season is becoming bright, busy, noisy, and full of activities with families and friends, all especially challenging for anyone with PTS, a traumatic brain injury, or other medical disability. If you have a loved one in this situation that you want to include, make sure you have a quiet corner set aside where they can sit with their back to the wall. Don't force this person to get up and mingle where they can be startled by a tap on the shoulder or an unexpected enthusiastic greeting and hug. These can be huge triggers for people with PTS. Their anticipation and fear of being triggered and embarrassing themselves or you may be enough for them to turn down your invitation, so don't be offended if that happens. Instead, ask if there's somewhere you could meet to have a quieter, more personal celebration. Since their own living quarters are often their sanctuary, ask them to choose a neutral spot where they will be comfortable. If they still don't accept, appreciate their needs. Even if you THINK you understand what they're going through, avoid expressing those feelings, as it could be misinterpreted as minimizing their challenges. Just like the rest of us, people with disabilities are trying to make the best possible life for themselves every day within their limitations. Being a person who truly accepts those limitations is the best gift you can give.

21/11/2025

We had an incredible afternoon at our Pets for Vets event at J. Winston Winery filled with live music, delicious food, local vendors, and, of course, plenty of adorable pets in costume! Thank you to everyone who came out to support Operation Freedom Paws.

Your participation and generosity help us continue empowering veterans, first responders, children, and individuals with disabilities through the healing power of service dogs.

We’re so grateful for our amazing community, and all our four-legged friends who made the day extra special.

18/11/2025

Every OFP team has a powerful story, and these interviews share what your donations truly make possible. From overcoming trauma to finding independence again, each moment captured reflects the heart of our mission.

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we invite you to see the impact of your kindness, and to help more clients and dogs begin their healing journey together.

Your support changes lives click below to make an early Giving Tuesday donation!

https://operationfreedompaws.org/support-us/giving-tuesday/

17/11/2025

Janet's Mentoring Monday:

Nearly every applicant for an OFP service dog is struggling with fear. The fear may result from trauma experienced as a result of combat, domestic violence, sexual abuse, bullying, or the breakdown of our own bodies. However, it's not what makes clients different that's important, but rather what makes us the same. That common element is that we have difficulty trusting. Fear makes us doubt ourselves; it undermines our belief in our own judgment and makes taking risks a huge challenge. "Risks" are different for each individual. For those with PTS, just leaving the house can be perceived as potentially dangerous. People with certain medical conditions stay alive only through constant vigilance. Being alert and responding to real or perceived danger causes a part of our brains to constantly release adrenaline so we can protect ourselves. But that adrenaline also makes it difficult for other parts of our brain to think rationally, and for our bodies to relax or sleep. The combination of adrenaline and sleep deprivation can lead to paranoia and even more fear. Mary calls this the "circle of vigilance". Trained service dogs break this circle by smelling changes in body chemistry and the environment, helping to alleviate the handlers' fears by letting us know what is a genuine threat and what is not. As we learn to check in with and trust our dogs, over time we become less vigilant and fearful, more confident and comfortable taking risks.

14/11/2025

Meet Poppy Jasper (aka PJ)!

Say hello to our newest pup at Operation Freedom Paws! This sweet girl is full of energy, curiosity, and so much potential as she begins her journey with us. Thanks to the support of our amazing community, puppies like PJ get a fresh start and the chance to grow into life changing partners for veterans and individuals with disabilities.

We’re so excited to see where her path leads, welcome to the family, PJ!

12/11/2025

Operation Freedom Paws was proud to stand alongside Purina Dog Chow in Washington, D.C. to advocate for veterans and the service dogs who change their lives.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our mission with lawmakers and continue building support for the SAVES Act.

Together, we’re making a difference, one veteran and one service dog at a time.
Read more about the trip at https://operationfreedompaws.org/operation-freedom-paws-visits-washington-d-c/

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day!

Today, and every day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. Your courage, sacrifice, and strength remind us of what true service looks like.

At Operation Freedom Paws, we’re proud to stand beside the veterans in our program as they reclaim independence and healing with the support of their service dogs. It’s an honor to witness your resilience and determination each step of the way.

From the entire Operation Freedom Paws team, thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and the freedoms you’ve helped protect.

10/11/2025

Janet’s Mentoring Monday: ⁠

I just don't feel right, but there doesn't seem to be a logical reason for it. The book I'm reading or the movie I'm watching suddenly makes me cry. No amount of "shaking it off" seems to work. Then, I look at the calendar and realize we're closing in on the date of a significant traumatic event in my life. Maybe I don't even remember the particular date, but when I look back, I recorded a major loss. These dates aren't just in our consciousness. Events impact our brains, bodies, and behavior in ways medical science is only beginning to understand. When we recognize these anniversaries, developing positive coping skills can help us manage them. I choose to look back, recognize my progress, and hug my dog.

08/11/2025

Here’s a look back at last year’s Veterans Day Run, a powerful day of community, remembrance, and purpose as runners, walkers, and families came together to honor our nation’s heroes.

Join us again this year on Sunday, November 16th in Morgan Hill for the Annual Veterans Day 5K/10K Walk/Run & 1-Mile Kids’ Run!

Let’s lace up, run with purpose, and continue supporting Operation Freedom Paws as we empower veterans and individuals with disabilities through the healing power of service dogs.

05/11/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Morgan Hill Bowl for a day full of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit. Your energy and support helped make the event a wonderful celebration of teamwork and purpose.

Every raffle ticket, every frame, and every cheer from the crowd helps Operation Freedom Paws continue empowering veterans, first responders, children, and individuals with disabilities through the healing power of service dogs.

We’re so grateful for your continued support and dedication to our mission.

03/11/2025

Janet’s Mentoring Monday:

Will I need a service dog for the rest of my life? That depends on your disability, and what tasks the dog does for you. If you need a psychiatric service dog to help you manage anxiety, PTSD, and anger, and/or lead you to an exit when you get overwhelmed in a crowded space, counseling and time (along with your trained service dog) may teach you to cope with these issues on your own. If you have a diabetic-alert dog, you and your doctor might be able to help you get your diabetes 100% controlled. Some of OFP's clients have reached a point where they no longer need a service dog to live high-quality lives. Their dogs helped them build a bridge from isolation and hypervigilance to healthy social interaction and self-confidence. They were able to stop self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. The good habits they created (with the help of their dogs) while they trained and worked together every day are now ingrained. They can now recognize and manage the symptoms of their disabilities before they become critical. This doesn't mean they are "cured", but have learned to develop other tools to manage and mitigate their disabilities. And that's a good thing!

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+14086839010

Website

http://www.operationfreedompaws.org/

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